Eeating certain foods can boost the immune system and help ward off the effects of disease, according to MayoClinic.com. Malnutrition, or not eating the required vitamins, minerals and proteins to sustain health, is also linked with immune system malfunction according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. To keep your immune system functioning well, consider making a few changes to your diet.
Vegetables
Vegetables, especially those from the cruciferous family such as broccoli and cabbage, contain vitamins and minerals that improve the immune system. ABC News reports that eating 2 to 3 cups of fresh veggies a day can ward off illness. Tomatoes, citrus and bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that removes toxins from the body. Orange vegetables, such as pumpkin and carrots, contain vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which mediates and promotes the immune response.
Garlic and Roots
Garlic is a potent antioxidant that improves the immune system, according to an ABC News reports from 1994. Ginger and curry are dried roots used to season and flavor many foods. According to ABC News, tumeric, the polyphenol found in curry, mediates the immune response and leads to improved health. Natural-HomeRemedies relates that curry may have a detoxifying effect, cleansing the body of built-up toxins.
Lean Meats and Beans
Lean meats, including chicken and pork, are a source of zinc that is undeniably good for the immune system. The body requires zinc to absorb and utilize the nutrients of vitamin C. Dried beans and fortified cereals also provide zinc according to ABC News reports. Lean meats and beans are dense with protein, the building block of human tissues. Eating a diet rich in protein supplies the immune system with tools to rebuild damaged cells.
